SANZAF & MPN

by Raeesah Mamoojee

On Friday 26 February 2010, SANZAF, the South African National Zakaat Fund, held an awards ceremony in recognition of the graduates who received bursaries from the organisation.

The Muslim Professionals Network was invited to introduce the new graduates to the network.

A group of graduates, with a wide range of qualifications, represented the MPN and provided an opportunity to the graduates and other bursary recipients to interact with graduates in their particular field of study.

A small booklet was also drawn up, highlighting CV writing techniques and interview tips that will prove invaluable when the graduates are looking to enter the job market.

The guest speaker on the evening was Professor Adam Habib, while the MPN was also provided a slot at the platform to deliver a short introduction to the MPN as well as provide some inspirational words to the graduates.

The event was a great opportunity to work with SANZAF, an organisation that does continually good work in the Muslim community

The MPN is actively involved with SANZAF on a continuous basis.

MPN NPC Nominations

“ Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain to success “  Surah 3 vs 104

The Muslim Professionals Network (MPN) recently nominated candidates to the National Planning Commission (NPC) which was recently established by the Presidency.

The well-established  Muslim community in South Africa  will mark a 340 year ( http://tiny.cc/8RV33 ) presence in the country this year. While the Muslim community is well integrated into South African society the need to engage with and contribute to the broader community remains paramount.

Further, by the Grace of Allah, we have among us many individuals whose God- given talents hold great potential for fruitful contribution towards the continued success of the country.

We hope that the National Planning Commission, regardless of its make-up will ultimately improve the lives of all South Africans, and all those living here.

We pray too that the number of individuals, who are willing and able to fulfil our collective obligation to this world, will increase in number and strength. This principle is one of the cornerstones of the MPN and its activities.

The MPN congratulates The Presidency on the establishment of this institution and salutes those who will comprise its members.

About the NPC, taken from: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/nationalplanningcommission.asp

Background to the National Planning Commission

The National Planning Commission is a new initiative of government. Chaired by the Minister in The Presidency for National Planning, the NPC will be responsible for developing a draft long term vision and strategic plan for South Africa. The process of developing this draft plan will include discussion and engagement across our country and will also provide opportunities for people to come forward with ideas and suggestions. This draft will be considered by Cabinet and accepted, amended or rejected. The Commission will also advise on cross-cutting issues that impact on South Africa’s long term development.

Functions of the NPC

What will the role of National Planning Commission be?

• Lead the development (and periodic review) of a draft Vision 2025 (“South Africa Vision 2025”) and long –term national strategic plan for approval by Cabinet (first plan 2010)
• Lead investigations into critical long term trends under the supervision of the Minister in the Presidency for the National Planning Commission, with technical support from a Secretariat and in partnership with relevant other parties
• Advise on key issues such as food security, water security, energy choices, economic development, poverty and inequality, structure of the economy, human resource development, social cohesion, health, defense capabilities and scientific progress
• Assist with mobilizing society around a national vision and other tasks related to strategic planning
• Contribute to reviews of implementation or progress in achieving the objectives of the National Plan
• Contribute to the development of international partnerships and networks of expertise on planning

How will the commission be appointed and for how long will they serve?

Given that an expert commission is broadly the preferred approach and the need for the speedy formation of the Commission, it is proposed that the Presidency call for public nominations to the Commission and that the President appoints 20 Commissioners on the basis of their experience , knowledge and expertise in various fields. The aim is to appoint the commission by the end of March 2010 with an inaugural meeting planned for April.

The Panel of commissioners will broadly be an expert panel, which is also representative of the major social forces in our society. The commissioners sitting on the NPC should be knowledgeable and representative of the diverse views in the country, and also willing and able to work collaboratively to develop a coherent and consistent national plan.

The NPC will be a permanent institution with part-time commissioners. The mandate of the NPC will be updated and renewed periodically by the President. The Minister in the Presidency responsible for National Planning will chair the commission. The commissioners will be appointed for a period of 5 years.

Feedback on WIEF Information Evening

On the 28^th January the MPN hosted an information evening on the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF), sponsored by ABSA Islamic Banking.  - Zubair Habib

Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi Bin Haji Abdul Razak, Secretary General of the WIEF Foundation; Mr Kennedy Jawan, Malaysian High Commisioner to South Africa; as well as South African representatives Ebrahim Patel, from the Minara Chamber of Commerce and the MPN’s own Zaid Mahomedy, presented an overview of the forum, its history and its aspirations.

South Africa has always been well represented at the forum since its inception, thanks to the efforts of Br Ebrahim Patel.  Further, a South African was also the first recipient of a scholarship established through the WIEF Young Leaders Network by CIMB Bank, having his MBA at Cambridge fully funded, followed by a placement at their offices in Malaysia.

Any South Africans interested in attending the 6th WIEF which takes place from 18 – 20 May in Kuala Lumpur can contact:

Zaid Mahomedy

ZaidMahomedy@gmail.com

Further information on the Forum is available on www.wief.org.my

The World Islamic Economic Forum is a global conference that acts as an international business platform where the business sectors of the Muslim world meet for business opportunities and together with the government leaders, act as a hub where policy proposals on economic development can be formulated.

The 6^th WIEF, purportedly one of the most important business forums in 2010, is expected to bring together around 2000 participants comprising world leaders, investors, fund managers, entrepreneurs, bankers and other stakeholders of the business community in a single meeting place. With the theme ‘Gearing for Economic Resurgence’, the 6^th WIEF seeks to capture the world’s post crisis mode for change and economic revival.

With a modest beginning as the OIC Business Forum on the side of the 10^th OIC Summit in 2003, the World Islamic Economic Forum has grown into a world class business forum, attracting a huge number of participants from the government and business communities worldwide. The change also brought about its complete independence from the OIC, answerable only to the WIEF Foundation, with an International Advisory Panel consisting of international personalities from the business sector and international organisations.

The WIEF Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation based in Kuala Lumpur, organises the annual World Islamic Economic Forum, a world-class business platform showcasing business opportunities in the Muslim world, and to run programmes of the various initiatives of the Foundation that strengthens people partnership and knowledge exchange between Muslim and non-Muslim communities across the globe. The Foundation aims to tackle problems in the Muslim world strictly from a business perspective, and to build bridges through business between the West and the Muslim world.